perrykemp
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GREEN BAY – At the start of training camp David Irving might have ranked ninth or 10th on the Dallas Cowboys’ ordinary defensive line.
When the Cowboys meet the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in an NFC divisional playoff game, Irving probably is their best defensive lineman.
At least that was the opinion of two executives in personnel who have studied the Cowboys all season.
“He’s playing at a high level,” one personnel man said. “Done a nice job over the last month of the season. He’s been a one-man wrecking show in a lot of instances.”
Eight defensive linemen logged more playing time than Irving on Oct. 16 in the Cowboys’ 30-16 victory at Lambeau Field. Irving, 6 feet 7½ inches and 285 pounds, made the most of his 19 snaps by forcing three fumbles (two by Aaron Rodgers, one by Ty Montgomery), tying the team record.
Before that game, Irving hadn’t been much of a factor. However, in the last five games, he has notched 14 of his team-high pressure total.
Irving usually plays left end in the 4-3 defense and tackle on passing downs. He needs a ton of work playing the run inside, but with 35 7/8-inch arms, 10¾-inch hands and 4.84-second speed the raw material is there.
“Not a real quick-twitch guy but he can cause problems just because he can bend for a guy that big,” said another scout. “Real nice body. Big and long.
“I just think the matchups inside for him are a little bit better because he’s not a speed guy. Not saying he can’t win outside, but the matchups and the height and the length make for more of an athletic mismatch against a guard.”
Read the rest here: http://www.jsonline.com/story/sport...ing-report-d-lineman-irving-peaking/96398152/
When the Cowboys meet the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in an NFC divisional playoff game, Irving probably is their best defensive lineman.
At least that was the opinion of two executives in personnel who have studied the Cowboys all season.
“He’s playing at a high level,” one personnel man said. “Done a nice job over the last month of the season. He’s been a one-man wrecking show in a lot of instances.”
Eight defensive linemen logged more playing time than Irving on Oct. 16 in the Cowboys’ 30-16 victory at Lambeau Field. Irving, 6 feet 7½ inches and 285 pounds, made the most of his 19 snaps by forcing three fumbles (two by Aaron Rodgers, one by Ty Montgomery), tying the team record.
Before that game, Irving hadn’t been much of a factor. However, in the last five games, he has notched 14 of his team-high pressure total.
Irving usually plays left end in the 4-3 defense and tackle on passing downs. He needs a ton of work playing the run inside, but with 35 7/8-inch arms, 10¾-inch hands and 4.84-second speed the raw material is there.
“Not a real quick-twitch guy but he can cause problems just because he can bend for a guy that big,” said another scout. “Real nice body. Big and long.
“I just think the matchups inside for him are a little bit better because he’s not a speed guy. Not saying he can’t win outside, but the matchups and the height and the length make for more of an athletic mismatch against a guard.”
Read the rest here: http://www.jsonline.com/story/sport...ing-report-d-lineman-irving-peaking/96398152/
